Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings

Grilled chicken wings are delicious and simple to make. Learn how to make juicy and tasty spicy chicken wings on your gas or charcoal grill. 

Summer is for grilling and we are making so many grilling recipes here at Unicorns in the Kitchen. From the best beef shish kabobs and grilled salmon kabobs to grilled souvlaki, it’s all about the ingredients in the marinade. This grilled chicken wings recipe is one of our favorites because it has a delicious kick to it! 

This post is sponsored by El Yucateco. All opinions are mine. 

Spicy grilled chicken wings recipe for summer

When it comes to grilling, wings are one of my favorite things to grill. The skin gets crispy and charred while the meat is juicy and flavorful. These spicy chicken wings are so easy to make and you can marinate them ahead of time. The longer they marinate, the more delicious they’re going to be. 

You can grill chicken wings on charcoal or gas grill. Wings are a crowd pleaser and they’re perfect for a barbecue party. I always make a big batch since I know everyone will come back for seconds. 

Chicken wings marinade for grilling

The marinade for these grilled chicken wings is made of the following ingredients:

• Olive oil: I love using extra virgin olive oil.
• El Yucateco Chipotle Sauce: My favorite sauce when it comes to spicy chicken wings. It’s made from a rich blend of naturally smoked chipotle peppers. The smokiness adds so much flavor to the wings and is perfect for marinating. 
• Honey: To balance the spiciness, I add a few tablespoons of honey to the marinade. 
• Lemon juice: To add freshness and give the wings a bright flavor. 
• Garlic cloves: Don’t skip the garlic, it always makes grilled wings better! 
• Paprika: For that bright color and flavor. 
• Balsamic vinegar: To bring all flavors together add a bit of sweetness with acidity. 

Mix all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and add the wings. Mix well with a spatula and make sure each wing is fully coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate marinated chicken wings for at least two hours up to 8 hours for maximum flavor. 

Can I use frozen chicken wings? 

You can use frozen chicken wings for this recipe, simply make sure it’s fully thawed before you marinate them. Frozen chicken wings are usually more economical than fresh ones and there isn’t a big difference in flavor. 

How to grill chicken wings 

First, take the marinated chicken wings out of the fridge and place them on the counter to bring up to the room temperature. Turn the grill on and wait until it’s hot. Place the chicken wings on the grill and let them cook covered until they are charred, brown and fully cooked. Flip once or twice to make sure both sides are cooked completely.   

How to make grilled chicken wings on the stove top

You can use a grill pan to make grilled chicken wings indoors. To do so, make sure the chicken wings are at room temperature and the grill pan is heating over medium high eat. Place the wings in the pan and cook them untouched for about 15 minutes on each side. 

How long to grill chicken wings

Wings usually take about 25-30 minutes in total to cook completely. The skin on some might turn charred sooner than the others. Move those to the sides of the grill where they would keep cooking but won’t burn. Grill the wings with the lid closed so the heat stays in. 

How to know if the wings are done?

As mentioned above, it usually takes about 25 to 30 minutes for the wings to cook. Make sure you flip the chicken wings once they’re charred on one side. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the wing and check the temperature. If it registers at 165°F, it’s completely cooked and ready to eat. 

What to serve with grilled wings

Grilled wings are the perfect party food. You can serve them with some tasty salads such as Mediterranean potato salad, cucumber tomato avocado salad or roasted vegetables. A few slices of toasted sourdough bread or warm dinner rolls would work as well. 

Can cooked wings be frozen?

Freezing grilled chicken wings will affect their flavor and texture. These wings are best served immediately when they’re crispy and warm. That’s when they have the best flavor. However, you can freeze the marinated chicken wings and thaw and grill them when you’re ready to serve them. 

Notes and tips to make grilled chicken wings

• Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To serve, heat the oven to 350°F and place the wings on a baking sheet. Heat the wings in the oven for 15 minutes or until they’re fully heated through. 
• I used about 2 tablespoons of El Yucateco chipotle sauce for this recipe which provides a good spiciness. If you would like the wings to be spicier, add more sauce to the marinade. 
• Don’t flip the wings too many times while grilling them. Let them cook on one side for about 15 minutes and once you see the skin is charred, flip them and grill them on the other side for another 10 minutes. 
• How many chicken wings per person? I usually make about 6 to 8 wings per person. If you have teenagers or very hungry guests, it’s safe to go with 10 per person.